Wednesday,September 28

Fall is here and you can feel it in the air. Today and yesterday proved very productive. I was able to get the pool completely winterized and covered. That's one of the most difficult jobs to complete because it involves climbing under the pool to disconnect the hoses. Glad it is done.

Last night I attended a talk at the Grange Audubon Center in Columbus. The speaker was Gregg Miller who was the bird consultant for the upcoming movie, The Big Year, due to be released October 14. Gregg was one of the birders featured in the book that describes his big year along with 2 other birders. A big year is when a birder counts how many bird species they see in a calendar year. For a long time, 600 was a good number of birds to see. In 1998, the year these three birders were doing their big year, they each saw over 700 species. The book is a great read and I am excited to see the movie. The movie has Jack Black, Owen Wilson and Steve Martin along with other well know actors and actresses to round out the cast. As you may have guessed, the movie, unlike the book is more of a comedy. The hope is however that the movie will bring awareness to birdwatching whether it be a hobby or competitive.

Some of you have asked if you can still make donations to the Parkway Run that I recently walked in and the answer is yes. If you go to the web site: http://www.parkwayrun.com/ and scroll down and click on donate you can search for Team Lily and make your donation pretty easily. Thanks to you in advance and also thanks to everyone who already made donations.

Monday, September 26

Fifer's Fall Festival

Going to pick apples.

Happy Birthday to my Dad who is 86 years old today.

After a very rewarding week end, we left Dover today around noon and made an uneventful trip home. It was nice having company on this visit and not having to drive the entire trip by myself. We are so fortunate to have such a wonderful relationship with Chad's parents that we can enjoy co-grandparenting duties with Luke and Lily. In one short 3 day weekend we were able to squeeze in a birthday party for Luke and Mylee, a trip to Fifer's Fall Festival, a Childhood Cancer Walk and a Lily Celebration. As I mentioned in yesterday's post, Lily did fall asleep in her high chair before we could cut the cake for her. I think all of the weekend activities finally caught up with her. She crashed at 6 p.m. and didn't wake up until 8 a.m. this morning. Luke went to pre-school at 9:30, it was picture day today and the rest of us went to IHOP for breakfast before heading home.

Sunday, September 25

Getting ready to start the Family Fun Walk.

Waiting for the walkers to begin. Hanging out at the fountain.

On your mark, get set, GO!

Lily's Pacers at the half way point.

Showing our muscles, to beat Childhood Cancer.

Today was our big day to walk for childhood cancer in Philadelphia. We were expecting rain as the forecast was not too promising but as we headed into Philly, and the sun was beginning to rise over Port Wilmington, I had a pretty good feeling that it was at least going to be a good morning. We found a parking garage near to the Four Seasons Hotel where the Run/Fun Walk was beginning and soon found ourselves near the starting line. There were so many people there, and I heard them announce that it was the most runners they have ever had. The 5K run began first at 8:30 a.m. with the walking Teams following. We walked past the Free Library and the half way point was the Philadelphia Art Museum where Rocky climbed the stairs during his training runs. The kids were great but I am glad Trish brought the strollers. Last night we had a little impromptu birthday party for Luke and his cousin Mylee, but tonight it is all about Lily. I am a little afraid that she may not be awake for her cake and celebration. She has been awake since 6 a.m. with only about a 20 minute snooze coming home from Philly. Luke and Mylee crashed when we got home, but Lily is still going strong. Tomorrow we are heading home but I am so glad that I decided to come out and participate in the Parkway Run.

Sunday, September 18

Next Sunday I will be participating in The Four Seasons Parkway Family Run/Walk in Philadelphia. The money raised by participating teams and individuals will go to the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia childhood cancer research. I will be walking with Team Lily. Luke is our team captain and Trish, Chad, Ed, Peg and I are walking and I think several of their friends may also be joining us too. We are so grateful that Lily's recent scans showed no signs of neuroblastoma cells and we know how fortunate she was that her diagnosis was made early enough for surgery without the need for chemo or radiation. For that reason we have much to celebrate and all the more reason to work even harder to help to raise funds for cancer research. Lily was blessed to have been close to two of the top children's hospitals in the country in A.I. Dupont and CHOPs both of which helped to diagnose and treat her neuroblastoma. Because of past research, cures for childhood cancer are increasing every day, still 35% of diagnosed children will die. If you can help by making a donation or even just helping to make others more aware of childhood cancers we would be ever so grateful. If you happen to get the Sunday Dispatch, I hope you read the article about another Lily from Lewes Center who is fighting brain cancer. It is a moving article to be continued tomorrow and gives a picture of the fighting spirit of these young warriors. Everyone knows that pink ribbons stand for breast cancer awareness. Let's work together so those same people also know that gold ribbons represent childhood cancer! NO ONE FIGHTS ALONE! GO, TEAM LILY!!

http://www.parkwayrun.com/

click on Fun Walk, then scroll to the bottom to donate, search Team Lily.

Saturday, September 17

Our new little bundle of joy, Trisha Marie.
New daddy holding both babies, our cat Dusty and baby Trisha.

Grandpa Wilson with his first grandchild.

Me, about 5 months pregnant, with Andy building our new home on the banks of the Little Darby.

The year is 1977. After school that Friday the 16th, we had torn out our old kitchen cabinets with the plans of installing new ones over the week end. We went to the West Jeff football game. I am 9 months pregnant, my due date is September 17, but no one actually has their first baby on their due date, do they? Apparently some do! In the wee hours of the morning we headed to Madison County Hospital for the birth of our first child, a beautiful 8 pound 3 ounce daughter. Happy Birthday Trisha Marie! You continue to bring us joy and we are so proud of you. Have a wonderful day.

P.S. Grandpa and new dad, Andy spent the week end not only putting in the new kitchen cabinets but also assembling the baby crib. I guess we weren't very prepared. Maybe that is why I am so obsessed about planning ahead now!

Friday. September 16

I took all these pictures from our seats, section 114A row c, just 3 rows from the field.

Could not have asked for better seats, Andy loved that he could see everything!

Marlon Byrd hit the first home run of the evening.

Soriano hit the last homerun that tied the game in the 9th inning.

Our seats were right at the end of the Cubs dug out so we could see all the players

We really didn't want to see the stacks go off at the end of the game, but we had a wonderful evening!

Last night we celebrated Father's Day and Mr. B's May birthday by using his present from Sara and Matt. We had the most phenomenal seats at the Great American Ball Park to watch the Cubs play the Reds. The weather was better than expected, at least it didn't rain, and the game was pretty exciting for two teams that just can't seem to get things together. The Cubs jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the 1st inning with 2 homeruns. Of course in true Cub fashion they gave that lead up when they gave up 6 unanswered runs in the 4th inning. Mr. B was ready to go at the top of the 9th but I convinced him to stay stating that we needed to get our moneys worth from our $17 parking spot. Sure enough, the Cubs scored 2 on Soriano's homer with Campana on base. Unfortunately, that elation was short lived as the Cubs gave up a walk off homer in the 11th inning. We still had a great time and Mr. B really enjoyed his birthday present. The last time the girls gave him tickets for his birthday we went to Chicago because Sara and Matt were living there. That was in May and we about froze. I thought we would be warmer last night but it was still a little chilly. Thanks Sara and Matt for the wonderful gift. Matt you did good picking out the seats!

Tuesday, September 13

What a beautiful day! There were lots of visitors at the zoo today and they were treated to quite a show in Polar Frontier. The polar girls were very active, especially Aurora who delights in jumping against the glass with the children on the other side. I think she loves to hear them squeal when she dives in the water and then pops out right in front of them. Anana was content just swimming or sunning on the rock. The brown bears were pretty sleepy by the time I got over to them but they did pose in their den so the public could get a good look at how very big they are. The moose calves have grown even more in the week since I last saw them.

Fall is nearly here and I love the wild flowers this time of the year. Molly and I have been walking in the woods in the evening and I think it is one of my favorite times of the year.

I need to start getting into winterizing mode pretty soon. I have a lengthy list of things that will need to be done and I don't want to wait until it gets cold to do it. Today we tried to level the dirt from the well we had dug. It is a pretty big job, even with Mr. B on the tractor manning the loader. Of course that left me doing the manual labor and handling the shovel. It looks a little better but it still isn't finished. Lesson #1 never pay the full amount until everything is finished. Lesson #2 follow lesson #1.

Luke and Grandma Go Camping

Click here to view this photo book larger

This is something new that I tried. I took pictures from our camping trip and made them into a book. I had the option to share so I gave it a try. When I signed on, here it was!

In other more important news today. Lily had her appointment with her oncologist and the cancer is gone!! No signs of any neuroblastoma cells any where, not even around the surgery site where the tumor was removed from. She will have to have another MRI in 3 months but if that scan is clear then she will only have to get the MRIs done every 6 months. No doubt we are all elated at this wonderful news. Trish and Chad had planned to participate in the Family Fun Walk in Philadelphia this month and I think I may drive out to participate as well. It is a fund raiser at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia for childhood cancer awareness so it is a very worthy cause. And I would really love to see the hospital that saved our little Lily. Enjoy your day! I am so happy, happy, happy. Thanks for all those prayers and keep them coming for the next scan to be clear as well.

Sunday, September 11

GOD BLESS AMERICA! As we reflect on the tragic events of 10 years ago my hope is that we always remember that day but at the same time move our lives forward in a meaningful way. When I think of what the terrorists hoped to steal from us on that day, I believe it was our sense of security. The security of living in a country of freedoms that many cannot even imagine. It is not that we don't experience a loss of security as individuals, every time someone is the victim of a home invasion, an assault or a kidnapping they feel violated. The difference is the magnitude of the attack. 9/11 like Pearl Harbor affected so many people at one time that we collectively felt a loss of safety in our own country. I remember how the climate of our country changed after that day ten years ago, we were more vigilant. I am somewhat saddened that our children are growing up in an atmosphere where an abandoned backpack could contain a bomb instead of a peanut butter sandwich. We did became a more patriotic country following the attacks and it was very refreshing. I also remember it didn't seem to take very long before it was life as usual for most Americans. At the time I was a little disappointed but as I ponder those feelings today, I think it may be a testament to the American spirit. The same spirit that made this country what it is today. If we live in fear then the terrorists have won. So we must show that spirit of resiliency and determination that we will not let a few steal that freedom. "Americans do not live in fear, Americans live in freedom". (a quote from 9/11 Remembered) God bless the families of those who lost their lives on that day and those who have died since in the continued fight against terrorism.

May your days be a little brighter, may you smile more often and may you hold those you love a little tighter as we learn to live in this ever changing world. Love makes all things possible.

Saturday, September 10

Andy with our good friend Larry. Not sure who was more excited about the opening, Larry or his son, Scott.

Today I had the opportunity to go to the Ohio State vs Toledo game. I was a little nervous as I was the guest of an alumni nut...I mean Buckeye fan. We left at 8 am and Mr. Bichler was quick to point out that the game didn't kick off until noon. But we had traditions and rituals that had to be followed and far be it that I be the one to jinx the Ohio State football team. I mean, really, the Bucks have enough problems without me adding to them! So we parked in the usual place, walked the same route to the stadium, checked out some vendors for freebies, went to the Skull Session, left at the appropriate time, bought a hot dog and arrived at our seats 30 minutes before kick off. Oh, and did I mention that we had to bite into a candy buckeye at the precise moment that the kicker was kicking the ball?! All kidding aside, I had a wonderful time and the Buckeyes did come away with a victory, even though the thought did cross my mind that I should go wait in the parking lot when Toledo took the lead early in the 1st quarter. Hopefully the team got their "bad" game out of the way and will be ready to play next week. The weather was perfect for the game and I had a really good time.

When I arrived back home, Mr. B informed me that we had been invited to the private seating at Rothwell's Family Restaurant in London. This new restaurant is where the London Perkins once was. Larry Rothwell's son, Scott, is the owner/manager. This was a dress rehearsal for their public opening next week. Overall it was a good experience and their signature appetizer of kraut balls was really good, and I don't even like sauerkraut, but Larry insisted that I try them.

Thursday, September 8

My, oh, my time does fly!!  Hug those babies, they grow up so fast.

Have not been able to get caught up on mowing the yard.  Guess I should have tried to get it done on Tuesday like my neighbor.  Oh, well....guess it isn't going any where.  Mr. B has been asked if he would agree to be interviewed by the re-certification board for Dodd Hall.  Seems as though each day he gets another phone call about something.  Must be nice to be famous.  He is getting excited to use his Father's day gift from Sara next week.  He has tickets to the Cubs vs Reds in Cincinnati next Thursday.  I am hoping it warms up a little and the rain will be gone by them.  No matter what the weather, I am sure we will have a good time at the Great American Ball Park.

Wednesday, September 7

I'm not going to spend too much time on the blog tonight or should I say this morning, as it really is Thursday 1 a.m.  I did want to include the website URL for Mr. Bichler's profile on the OSU Rehabilitation Services website.  As I may have mentioned before, he is extremely proud of the fact that he has been featured and of all the hard work he has put into his recovery.  Enjoy and I will continue this post later.
http://medicalcenter.osu.edu/rehabilitation/stories/pages/andy-bichler.aspx
http://medicalcenter.osu.edu/rehabilitation/support/pages/index.aspx

Friday, September 2

Good news from Lily's oncologist.

The 2 girls are laying in the grass. The little boy plopped down in the mud under the mister.

Not much happening this week. Getting caught up from my trip and trying to keep cool in these past 90 degree days. Tuesday I did a moose watch at the zoo for the 3 new little orphan moose. I spent 4 hours talking to visitors about Alaskan moose, their weights, how big they will get, what they eat and many others. I also wrote down each time they ate, peed (are there 3 e's in the plural of pee?) and pooped. They're pretty cute, but if you want to see them as babies, you better hurry, they are gaining 3-4 pounds each day so they won't be small for long.

Good news from the vacationing oncologist. This is the text that he sent to Trish and Chad. "Sorry for the delay, I am out of the hospital for the next week. I saw the preliminary read which looked good (no MIBG avid lesions) but will have to check on the final read when I get back. I will let you know early next week." Lily has a scheduled appointment with Dr. Rupon on September 12 and I'm sure they will find out much more about the results of both the MRI and the MIBG scan. September is Childhood Cancer Awareness month so I am including a link to the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia for additional information and ways you can support cancer research.

http://www.chop.edu/service/oncology/childhood-cancer-awareness/childhood-cancer-awareness-month.html